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Giant inflatable Santas unite neighbourhood’s Christmas spirit

A jolly troupe of nearly 30 inflatable Santas has transformed a quiet Toronto street into a bit of a tourist attraction.

Spectators have flocked to Inglewood Dr., a tucked-away residential street in the Moore Park neighbourhood, to check out a new crowd of inflatable St. Nicks quietly humming away on 29 lawns.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa on Inglewood Drive. In fact, there are 29 of them. And you can't miss 'em. (Keith Beaty / Toronto Star)

If there's a strong wind, all 29 Santas on Inglewood Drive wave their inflated black mitts at the same time. (Keith Beaty / Toronto Star)

The idea to inject the neighbourhood with a little holiday cheer started with resident Amy Westin. A mother of three, Westin, 35, had considered buying a 6-foot-tall inflatable Santa for her yard this year.

After Santa was pumped full of air, nearby neighbour Ian Putnam asked Westin if she wouldn’t mind if he bought one for his family.

“These things are outrageous,” said Putnam, 43. “It’s ridiculous. But that’s the fun of it.”

The ball really got rolling when neighbours gathered at a Christmas party a few weeks ago. That night, Westin convinced her next-door neighbour to buy the inflatable Santa — at around $200 — from Canadian Tire.

After a few holiday libations, someone else decided they’d buy a Santa. And another.

Within a few days, seven goliath Santas — some taller than the houses — dotted the lawns on Inglewood.

“People just loved them, everyone wanted one,” Westin said.

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Unfortunately, the giant outdoor ornaments proved to be too popular. Canadian Tire locations across Toronto quickly sold out.

One neighbour had an idea. After pulling some strings, they got in touch with the company about the dearth of giant Santas and the street’s hunt for more.

“Canadian Tire really got behind the idea. They started tracking down inventory from all over Ontario because they were selling out everywhere,” Westin said.

A minivan showed up one day to deliver 23 brand new inflatable Santas, a gift from Canadian Tire. A Christmas party was then held on the street, including a Beavertail truck, carolers and mugs of hot cocoa.

Keeping with the giving spirit, residents brought canned food items to the party and filled seven bags for the food bank.

“This brought us together. Other than left and right I didn’t know my neighbours,” Putnam said.

These days, a gust of cold winter air makes all 29 glowing Santas wave their little black mittens in unison.

“It’s like a welcome into Moore Park parade,” Westin joked.

Yousry Bissada, 53, a father of two, said his family usually just erects a nativity scene in the front lawn each Christmas.

“That’s our tradition, we’ve put that up for years. Santa is the new guy,” he said. “But I sure hope this becomes a Christmas tradition. We’re hoping next year the whole street will do it.”

Now with the festive spotlight on Inglewood, neighbours admit they have a pretty big reputation to uphold.

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